In no time at all, it was the day of the Middle-Class Trainer Assessment, and Kalia along with Mark arrived early at the designated location.
This time, over fifty participants had registered for the assessment, but only a few were expected to pass.
The venue for the Middle-Class Trainer Assessment was not at the Pokémon Center or even within Rockcliff City; instead, everyone would need to travel to a specific location dedicated solely to conducting this examination.
Each Middle-Class Trainer Assessment is significant, leading many Trainers to take it very seriously. While there's a desire for more mid-level Trainers, the standards must be upheld.
To prevent cheating, the Middle-Class Trainer Assessment is conducted strictly, with numerous supervisors present.
The chosen area for the assessment was tranquil, populated by various harmless Pokémon. As Kalia and Mark reached the destination, these Pokémon peeked curiously from between tree branches.
A closer look revealed their round, expressive eyes, enticing several female Trainers to want to approach them closely.
However, they were promptly stopped.
"These Pokémon are specially bred wild creatures by the League. Do not disturb them; their assistance will be crucial during the assessment." At that moment, a young man dressed formally approached and spoke with a scar visible on his face, seemingly caused by sharp claws.
Hearing this warning, the female Trainers halted their steps, refraining from moving closer, instead showing expressions of respect, as if recognizing the individual before them.
Kalia curiously observed from the side. Honestly, she was unfamiliar with the prominent figures overseeing the assessment, including the scarred man.
However, he likely held the rank of a high-level trainer.
"His name is Mandia, the chief supervisor for this assessment. He's one of the strongest high-level trainers in the League," Mark whispered, seemingly understanding Kalia's unspoken question.
The Sebas Region has several renowned high-level trainers, although they may not enjoy the same household recognition as Elite Four members. Their considerable strength, however, keeps them in the spotlight, as any could potentially ascend to become a new Elite Four member at any time, thus maintaining significant renown. Some enthusiasts even compile rankings dedicated to them.
Kalia, having no prior exposure to such rankings, was naturally unaware of them. However, as she progressed towards becoming a mid-level Trainer, she would eventually become familiar with these lists.
Mandia appeared somewhat intimidating at first glance, but after Mark's explanation, Kalia realized that he actually had a pleasant and amiable personality.
As time passed, the assessment began.
The first round consisted of a written test, but the method of conducting it was quite intriguing. The League did not provide pre-printed question papers; instead, they were hidden within the wild area, scattered across various locations.
There was a strict time limit for the written test. If a participant couldn't locate their paper, complete the answers within the given timeframe, or achieve a passing score, they would be eliminated from the competition.
Once the written test commenced, numerous Trainers swiftly sprang into action. Over fifty participants dispersed, with most sending out their Pokemon to search for the hidden exam papers.
"Let's split up to increase our chances of finding the papers," Kalia suggested. Staying together might make it harder to locate the concealed exams.
"Agreed, that makes sense." Mark nodded and released his Pokemon before heading off randomly in one direction.
"Come on out." Kalia also opened her Poké Balls, releasing Charizard among other Pokémon.
This written test was quite intriguing; instead of directly starting the assessment, it included a searching phase. Moreover, each person might find different exam papers, ranging from topics they may not know to subjects they're familiar with.
Luck played a significant role, but ultimately, it depended on each Trainer's everyday efforts. Even with good fortune, without adequate preparation, passing this written portion would be challenging.
Lian had already learned about the assessment content while inside the Poké Ball. He was determined to help Kalia pass the Middle-Class Trainer Assessment, as it significantly impacted her future achievements.
To gain deeper knowledge and reach higher levels, assistance from someone like Kalia was crucial, despite Lian's current strength. Beyond relying on the system, her support was indispensable.
The first task of this assessment involved finding their exam papers, and the most familiar with the area were undoubtedly the wild Pokémon. To locate the papers swiftly, leveraging the help of these Pokémon was the optimal approach.
Many Trainers had similar thoughts, as establishing quick friendships with Pokémon was also part of the assessment's objective. This seemingly simple written test encompassed multiple aspects.
Lian even suspected that subsequent parts of the evaluation might be connected to these Pokémon.
Everyone sprang into action, and Kalia naturally didn't want to lag behind. She set out with her Pokémon to search for the exam papers, planning to engage harmless wild Pokémon if unsuccessful.
"Why not just ask?" Lian, however, lacked the patience for such endeavors. When it came to communicating with Pokémon, he held an undeniable advantage, being the proud owner of a human-like Charizard.
He retracted his wings, suppressing any aggressive demeanor, and approached a wild Togetic.
Togetic is undoubtedly a rare Pokémon; they are scarce throughout the Sebas Region, with very few found in the wild. Their presence here indicated that the League specifically introduced them, as they are rarely encountered elsewhere.
These Pokémon appeared quite docile, likely contributing to their selection as some of the League's initial choices for trainers. Apart from the three designated starter Pokémon, there were occasional alternatives with comparable potential.
At this moment, Lian's unique ability came into play. He directly communicated with the Togetic, although initially intimidated by his strength, but once Lian reassured him without any aggression, it posed no issue.
After a brief exchange, Lian successfully obtained information about the location of the exam papers. Unfortunately, the Togetic's knowledge was limited; it only knew one spot, and moreover, the test papers and pens seemed to be separated—meaning they had to find both the papers and pens.
While Lian was inquiring, Kalia continued her meticulous search diligently. Meanwhile, someone else had already found their test paper.
This showcased sheer luck among the Trainers, as a few fortunate ones always emerged. However, ultimately, true skill would prevail.
Lian didn't waste time. After thanking the Togetic, he swiftly located the test paper, gently holding it between his teeth before returning to Kalia.
"Charizard, well done! Now we can start right away!" Kalia exclaimed with delight, as she had just found a black pen earlier and was worried about locating her test paper. With both items now in hand, she could immediately begin the written exam.
Seeing Kalia secure her test materials, some Trainers displayed envious glances. Starting the exam ahead of others provided a significant advantage.
"That Charizard is exceptional! Finding the test paper so quickly, what incredible luck."
"Yes, mine is also a Charizard, but instead of helping, it keeps wandering around aimlessly. It's driving me crazy."
Meanwhile, other Trainers struggled to find their papers for quite some time. A few who did locate them ended up in disputes with fellow Trainers, nearly escalating into physical confrontations, ultimately resulting in disqualification from the assessment.
These disqualified Trainers deeply regretted their actions, but there was no turning back. Apart from the participants, numerous supervisors were present to prevent any exchange of test papers or cheating attempts.
The strictness of this examination was evident; even minor mistakes could lead to immediate disqualification, leaving one with no choice but to wait for the next opportunity.